Bag and method



July an, 1951 T. E. PIAZZE BAG AND METHOD Filed Nov. 5, 1945 IN VEN TOR.

ljfi'agge w amok Patented July 31, 195i BAG AND METHOD Thomas E. Piazze, Mount Vernon, Ohio, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Shellmar Products Corporation, Mount Vernon, Ohio, a, corporation of Delaware Application November 3, 1945, Serial No. 626,550

9 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of bags. More particularly, it pertains to a bag made from a single web of material having a square bottom and preferably a square top with a novel type of filling valve of the type disclosed in my co-pending application filed December '7, 1944, Serial No. 566,985, now abandoned, of which this application is a continuation-in-part, and the provision of a longitudinal seam for such bags, which is offset in a manner to be included within the sealed portions of the top and bottom of the bag, and the method for folding such sheet material to provide such an article, is a principal object of the invention.

In conventional types of bag constructions, of ei her the fiat or gusseted type folded and secured together into tubular formation from a running web, the longitudinal seam is formed in such a way so as to be disposed along the longitudinal axis of the front or rear wall of the tube. While I have disclosed this conventional method of locating the longitudinal seam in my above mentioned co-pending application I have found that a bag having enhanced sift-proof and hermetically sealed properties can be provided by difierently folding the sheet and changing the location of the longitudinal seam.

Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a bag and method for making the same by folding a sheet of material into a tubular Wall forming body so that the longitudinal seam is offset with respect to the longitudnial axis of the tube, extending into the bottom closure, as well as the top closure when desired in which opposite contacting inwardly extending marginal wall segments of the tube on each side thereof are heat-sealed together, each 'of the heat-sealed segments terminating short of each other a substantial distance from the center of the tube which partially seals the open end thereof to provide the closures.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, and the relation of elements which will be exemplified in the article hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view of a web of heat-scalable material folded and secured into tubular body formation illustrating the position of the longitudinal seam extending into a sealed portion of a gusset type of bag;

Fig. 2 shows the tubular body formation of Fig. 1 folded over across the bottom and sealed to provide a bottom closure for the bag;

Fig. 3 shows a bag, such as that shown in Fig. 2, sealed to provide a filling valve, in which the longitudinal seam extends through the sealed portions thereof;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the bag shown in Fig. 3 expanded to illustrate a method of filling the same; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the bag of Fig. 4 filled with a suitable commodity and sealed at the top to provide a completely finished package.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is illustrated generally at ID a tubular body formation formed from a web of heat-sealable material such as, for example, Pliofilm or similar material, or heat-sealable cellophane, or the like.

In the formation of the tube, opposite side edges are brought into overlapping position and sealed together by means of heat and sometimes with an additional application of adhesive. It is conventional to form such seams along the front wall or the rear wall of the tube along its longitudinal axis. However, in accordance with the principles of the present invention I provide such a scam in an offset position as shown at H, preferably utilizing a suitable adhesive l2.

Opposite wall portions of the tube are tucked inwardly to provide gusseted end walls l3 between side Walls H. The side walls flaps l5, l5, each extending beyond an open end of the tube.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the tubular body has been sealed to provide a bottom closure having marginal wall segments l6, I6, including the adjacent gusseted portions, which are fused together, and also including therein the longitudinal seam II. It is within the contemplation of the invention to fold the sheet so that the longitudinal seam II can be on either front or rear wall. In any event, the longitudinal seam II should be placed so as to be included and sealed within one of the segments it. Also, the invention is not restricted to a gusset type bag but relates, for example, to fiat type bags as well. Each of the fused segments extends inwardly from opposite sides of the tube and terminates in the area of the inner ends of the tuck-in folds of the gusset, thereby partially sealing the open end of the tube in that region. The segments l6, l6, preferably are sealed together by means of heat and pressure applied in this area by suitable sealing irons, such as the type which produces a crimp seal. If, for'example, Pliofilm is used, the four layers of material constituting the sealed segment, namely the portions of the end walls formed by the gusset and the side walls, as well as the longitudinal seam II, will be welded or I4 have closure asoasaa coalesced in such a manner as to form an autogenous bond, or unitary mass. Where, for example, cellophane is utilized having an overall or partial application of heat-sealing lacquer in the closure area a surface fusion will result.

The remaining portion of the tube in this region remains unsealed, leaving an opening which is thereafter sealed, preferably by means of an adhesive application, applied inwardly of the sealed segments as indicated at II. It is of importance to note that the unsealed portion between segments greatly facilitates the manufactur of such bags as well as the sealing operation by speeding up the same because this permits suitable means, such as a transmission belt, disposed above and below the walls along the iongitudinal center thereof and between the segments, more readily to propel the bag beyond the sealing irons and out of the machine. The application of the adhesive I! need not be made in the exact area shown but it should be applied in a zone adjacent a fold line in such a manner that the remainin portions of the open end of the tube will become sealed, as more fully illustrated in Fig. 2. Wherever the adhesive is originally applied, whether on the body wall as indicated, or on the flap l5, it should ultimately appear in the bottom closure a shown in Fig. 2. The partially sealed tube end should be folded along the transverse line of fold it, which preferably is disposed inwardly of the segments ii, I, so that tm latter, together with a closure flap IE, will lie against the tube body with the closure flap outermost. The adhesive ll will then seal the remaining portion of the tube end because it will extend along the closure flap i between the segments I, It. across the open tube end, the closure flap being sealed to one of the side walls i 4.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, there is illustrated a novel type of mouth closure, particularly applicable to a gusset type of bag which will provide a square top type of container. The bottom of such a bag may be provided with a closure such as that illustratedin Figs. 1 and 2,

or any other conventional type of bottom closure. The top closure illustrated in Fig. 3 is provided by heat-sealing portions of the walls and adjacent gussets as shown in connection with the formation of the bottom closures of Fig. 1. This will provide heat-sealed segments II, II. The longitudinal seam II will be included within one of the sealed segments It. when both ends of the longitudinal seam II have been sealed within one of each of the segments It and I! the possibility of leakage occurring in this area of the seam is remote.

The unsealed portion between segments II. II, provides a valve, indicated generally at 2', for the reception of a filling nozzle II. The segments ii, I, and the remaining portions of the gusset lying outwardly thereof provide gripping portions suitable for an operator to pick up such a prefabricated bagand to hold the same for filling when the nozzle II is inserted in the valve II.

It will be seen from Fig. 4 that a square type top portion of a bag is provided. This is particularly advantageous in that less material is used than heretofore wherein it was necessary to have enough material to permit a plurality of folds of the mouth opening in order to secure a proper type of seal for the closure.

After such a bag has been filled, it may be folded transversely in any area adjacent the segments II, I, and secured in sealed position by ,4 an adhesive. After the bag ha been filled and the mouth closure sealed a package such as that illustrated in Fig. 5 will be provided.

Since certain changes may be made in the above article and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawin shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language. might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a bag formed from a single web of heatsealable material into a tubular wall forming body having a single longitudinal seam provided by opposit marginal portions of said web being sealed to each other, and in which one wall of said tube has a closure fiap extending beyond an open end of the tube, a bottom closure for said bag comprising opposite contacting inwardly extending marginal wall segments of said tube on each side thereof which are sealed together, each of said segments terminating short of each other a substantial distance from the center of the tube which partially seals said open tube end, said single longitudinal seam being offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube and extending into said bottom closure and being included within one of said sealed together segments, said partially sealed tube end being folded along a transverse line of fold inwardly of said segments so that the segments, together with said closure flap, lie against the tube body with said closure flap outermost, and the remaining portion of said open tube end being sealed by an adhesive extending along said closure flap between said segments across the bottom of the open tube end. said closure flap being sealed to said tube body. and said open tube end being closed by said adhesive.

2. Inabagofthecharacterdefinedinclaiml, and wherein there is provided a mouth closure portion comprisin opposite contacting inwardly extending marginal wall segments of said tube on each side thereof which are sealed together, each of said segments terminating short of each other a substantial distance from the center of the tube which partially seals the other open end of the tube, said longitudinal seam being included in one of said segments forming the mouth closure, and a filling valve provided by the segments forming the mouth closure portion.

3. In a bag folded into a tubular wall forming body member from a single web adapted to be sealed which is secured in such position by mean of a single longitudinal seam provided by opposite marginal portions of said web being sealed to each other, and in which opposite wall portions of the tube have tuck-in folds to provide gusaeted end walls between side walls, one of the side walk having a closure flap extending beyond an open end of the tube, a bottom closure for said hag comprising marginal wall segments of said tube, including adjacent gusseted portions, being fused together, each of said fused Segments extending inwardlyandterminatingintheareaoftheinner ends of the tuck-in folds which partially seal the open tube end, said single longitudinal seam beany suitable means, such as by heat-sealing or by ing offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube and extending into said bottom closure and being included within one of said fused together segments, said partially sealed tube end being folded along a transverse line of fold so that the segments, together with said closure flap, lie against the tube body with said closure flap outermost, and a remaining portion of said tube end being sealed by an adhesive extending along said closure flap between said segments across the bottom of the open tube end, said closure fiap being sealed to said tube body to provide a square bottom type of bag prior to filling the same, and said open tube end being closed by said adhesive.

4. In a bag of the character defined in claim 3, and wherein there is provided a mouth closure portion comprising marginal wall segments of said tube, including adjacent gusseted portions, which are sealed together, each of said segments extending inwardly and terminating around the bottom of the gusset thereby partially sealing said other open end of the tube, said longitudinal seam being included in one of said segments forming the mouth closure, and a filling valve provided by the segments forming the mouth closure portion.

5. In a bag folded into a tubular wall forming body member from a single web adapted to be sealed and which is secured in such position by means of a single longitudinal seam provided by opposite marginal portions of said web being sealed together, and in which opposite wall portions of the tube are tucked inwardly to provide gusseted end walls between side walls, and said bag having a bottom closure, a mouth closure for said bag comprising marginal wall segments of said tube, including adjacent gusseted portions, which are adhered together, said longitudinal seam being offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube and extending into said mouth closure and being included within one of said sealed together segments, each of said segments extending inwardly and terminating around the bottom of the gusset thereby partially sealing said open tube end, and a bag filling valve at the remaining unsealed portion of the tube end provided by said segments which form a square top type of bag prior to filling the same, said bottom closure for said bag comprising opposite contacting inwardly extending marginal wall segments of said tube on each side thereof which are sealed together, each of said segments terminatin short of each other a substantial distance from the center of the tube which partially seals said open tube end, said single longitudinal seam being offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube and extending into said bottom closure and being included within one of said sealed-together.

segments, said partially sealed tube end being folded along a transverse line of fold inwardly of said segments so that the segments, together with said closure flap, lie against the tube body with said closure flap outermost, and the remaining portion of said open tube end being sealed by an adhesive extending along said closure flap between said segments across the bottom of the open tube end, said closure flap being sealed to said tube body, and said open tube end being closed by said adhesive.

6. A method of manufacturing a bag from a web of heat scalable material comprising folding said web into a tube formation with marginal edge tacting inwardly extending marginal wall segments of said tube at an end thereof with each of the heat-sealed segments terminating short of each other a substantial distance from the center of the tube to provide a bottom closure for said bag, said sealed segments being formed a sufllcient distance from the side edge of said tube to include a portion of said longitudinal seam whereby to partially seal the open end ofthe tube, applying an adhesive to said tube in an area inwardly of and adjacent said heat-sealed segments and folding the partially sealed tube end along a transverse line of fold inwardly of said heat-sealed segments to secure the remaining portion of the open tube end by said adhesive between the segments.

7. In a method of the character defined in claim 6 and sealing together opposite contacting inwardly extending marginal wall segments at the other end of said tube on each side thereof with each of said heat-sealed segments terminating short of each other and a substantial distance from the center of the tube, one of said sealed segments being extended inwardly a. sufiicient distance to include therein the longitudinal seam thereby providing a mouth closure with an unsealed portion providing a bag filling valve.

8. A method of manufacturing a bag from a web of heat scalable material which comprises folding the web into flattened tube formation with marginal side edge portions arrangedin longitudinal seam forming relation and with tuckin folds arranged to provide gusseted end walls between the side walls when the bag is opened up, said web being folded with a closure flap extending beyond an open end of the tube formation and with the longitudinal seam offset with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, fusing together marginal wall segments at said open end of said tube with each of said fused segments extending inwardly and terminating in the area beyond the inner end of each tuck-in fold and with one of said fused segments including a portion of the longitudinal seam, applying an adhesive to said tube formation in an area extending along said closure flap between said fused segments across the tube end, and folding the end of the tube in-' wardly along a transverse line of fold with the closure flap pressed against the tube body whereby to provide a square bottom type bag.

9. A method of the character described in claim 8, and adhering together marginal wall segments at the other end of said tube formation, including adjacent gusseted portions, with each of said segments extending inwardly and terminating adjacent the bottom of the gusset and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis thereof and with portions arranged to form a longitudinal seam which is offset with respect to the longitudinal axis thereof, heat-sealing together opposite conone of said segment including a portion of the longitudinal seam, whereby to provide a mouth closure with a bag filling valve formed by the unsealed portion between said segments.

THOMAS E. PIAZZE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,114,855 Munson Apr. 19, 1938 2,297,375 'Vogt Sept. 29, 1942 2,307,902 Vogt et al. Jan. 12, 1943 2,377,358 Moore June 5, 1945 2,385,647 Poppe Sept. 25, 1945 

